Baccarat game

ABSTRACT

An improved baccarat-type game. In one embodiment, each player plays his or her own baccarat hand, against a dealer hand. Players may wager on the outcome of their hand versus the dealer hand and, in one embodiment, may bet on either hand to win. Preferably, at least one and preferably two additional wagering opportunities are provided. In one, players may wager on the identity of the dealer&#39;s first card, which is dealt face down. In a second, players may wager on the combined value of the dealer hand and the wagerer&#39;s player hand. In one embodiment, one or more of these bonus opportunities are provided, in a game in which there is only a single player hand.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to baccarat-type card games and, moreparticularly, to an improved baccarat game.

BACKGROUND 0F THE INVENTION

The rules of the game of baccarat, also known as punto banco, arewell-known. Two hands are dealt—a “dealer” hand and a “player” hand.Each hand initially receives two cards, and the goal is to achieve thehighest point total when adding the value of the cards making up thehand. A series of relatively complicated rules govern whether the playerhand or the dealer hand is dealt a third card.

Special rules apply to the determining of card values for addingpurposes. 10's and face cards have no value, Aces have a value of one,and the remaining cards have their face value. If the added value of thecards is greater than 10 (e.g., two sevens have an added value of 14),the first digit is ignored and only the second one is considered indetermining value (e.g., the baccarat value of two sevens is “4” and not“14”). As a result of these adding rules, the highest baccarat handachievable is nine.

The gambling on the play of baccarat consists of players wagering oneither the dealer hand or the player hand to win. Because there is onlyone “player” hand, the remaining wagerers, other than the player withthe “player” hand, are not actually playing a baccarat hand.

A need exists for an improved baccarat-type game that permits greaterplayer participation, additional wagering opportunities, improved thirdcard rules, and/or an outcome determining device where there is a tiebetween dealer and player hands. The present invention satisfies theseneeds and provides other, related, advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an improvedbaccarat-type card game is disclosed. The game comprises, incombination, the steps of: accepting an initial wager from one or moreplayers; dealing each of the one or more players a first card; dealing adealer a first card; dealing at least one additional card to each of theone or more players until completing a player baccarat hand for each ofthe one or more players; dealing at least one additional card to thedealer until completing a dealer baccarat hand; determining a baccarathand value for each player baccarat hand; determining a baccarat handvalue for the dealer baccarat hand; comparing the baccarat hand value ofeach player baccarat hand with the baccarat hand value of the dealerbaccarat hand; and if the baccarat hand value of at least one playerbaccarat hand and the baccarat hand value of the dealer baccarat handare equal, providing a determination card to each player having thebaccarat hand having an equal value to the dealer baccarat hand; whereina value of the determination card determines what will happen to theinitial wager.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, animproved baccarat-type card game is disclosed. The game comprises, incombination, the steps of: accepting an initial wager from one or moreplayers; dealing each of the one or more players a first card; dealing adealer a first card; wherein the dealer's first card is dealt face down;permitting each player an option of placing a wager on an identity ofthe dealer's first card; dealing at least one additional card to each ofthe one or more players until completing a player baccarat hand for eachof the one or more players; dealing at least one additional card to thedealer until completing a dealer baccarat hand; determining a baccarathand value for each player baccarat hand; determining a baccarat handvalue for the dealer baccarat hand; comparing the baccarat hand value ofeach player baccarat hand with the baccarat hand value of the dealerbaccarat hand; awarding a jackpot to each player who has placed thewager on the identity of the dealer's first card and who has correctlyselected the identity.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, animproved baccarat-type card game is disclosed. The game comprises, incombination, the steps of: accepting an initial wager from at least oneplayer; dealing a first card to at least one player hand; dealing afirst card to a dealer hand; dealing at least one additional card toeach player hand until completing the player hand; dealing at least oneadditional card to the dealer hand until completing the dealer hand;determining a baccarat hand value for each player hand; determining abaccarat hand value for the dealer hand; comparing the baccarat handvalue of each player hand with the baccarat hand value of the dealerhand; determining based on a value of cards comprising at least oneplayer hand and the dealer hand whether the at least one bonus jackpothas been achieved.

In accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention, animproved card game is disclosed. The game comprises, in combination, thesteps of: accepting an initial wager from one or more players; dealingeach of the one or more players a first card; dealing a dealer a firstcard; dealing at least one additional card to each of the one or moreplayers until completing a player hand for each of the one or moreplayers; dealing at least one additional card to the dealer untilcompleting a dealer hand; determining a hand value for each player hand;determining a hand value for the dealer hand; comparing the hand valueof each player hand with the hand value of the dealer hand; and if thehand value of at least one player hand and the hand value of the dealerhand are equal, providing a determination card to each player having thehand having an equal value to the dealer hand; wherein a value of thedetermination card determines what will happen to the initial wager.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, animproved card game is disclosed. The game comprises, in combination, thesteps of: accepting an initial wager from one or more players; dealingeach of said one or more players a first card; dealing a dealer a firstcard; wherein said dealer's first card is dealt face down; permittingeach said player an option of placing a wager on a value of saiddealer's first card; dealing at least one additional card to each ofsaid one or more players until completing a player hand for each of saidone or more players; dealing at least one additional card to said dealeruntil completing a dealer hand; determining a hand value for each saidplayer hand; determining a hand value for said dealer hand; determiningsaid value of said dealer's first card; and awarding a jackpot amount toa player who placed said wager on said value of said dealer's first cardand who correctly predicted said value.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, animproved card game is disclosed. The game comprises, in combination, thesteps of: accepting an initial wager from one or more players; dealingeach of said one or more players a first card; dealing a dealer a firstcard; dealing at least one additional card to each of said one or moreplayers until completing a player hand for each of said one or moreplayers; dealing at least one additional card to said dealer untilcompleting a dealer hand; determining a hand value for each said playerhand; determining a hand value for said dealer hand; and determiningbased on a value of cards comprising at least one said player hand andsaid dealer hand whether said at least one bonus jackpot has beenachieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a game table, suitable for the play of animproved baccarat game consistent with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a player wagering area for a baccarat gameconsistent with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a player wagering area for a baccarat gameconsistent with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a table on which an improved baccarat game consistentwith the present invention may be played. (Of course, table size andshape can be varied as desired, including based on the number of playersto be accommodated.)

First, it should be noted that each player is, preferably, dealt cards,so that there will be as many “player” hands as there are players. Thus,as shown in FIG. 1, illustration is made of a table 10 adapted toaccommodate multiple players, with each player having his or her ownplay area 12 for his or her cards.

Referring additionally to FIG. 2, initially, each player places oneinitial wager or “ante” in Baccarat bet area 14. Play then preferablybegins with the dealer standing or sitting at dealer station 16 dealingone card, preferably face up, to each player, and one card, preferablyface down, for the dealer hand. It is preferred that the dealer utilizea multi-deck stack of cards 17, and preferably one containing a minimumof eight decks.

The dealer then deals a second card to each player hand and to thedealer hand. All second cards are, preferably, dealt face up. After thedealer and each player have received two cards, each player is permittedto complete his or her baccarat hand. Rules should be established todetermine when a player may select a third card. These rules can beclassic baccarat rules (i.e., player automatically draws a third cardwith a hand that is less than or equal to five, player does not drawwith a hand that totals 8 or 9, and player may draw at 6 or 7).Preferably, however, baccarat rules are modified slightly, so that theplayer must draw with a total of 5 or less, must stand with a total of7, 8 or 9, and may draw with a total of 6.

Once each player hand is completed, the dealer reveals his or her firstcard and completes his or her hand. Classic baccarat rules can beutilized to determine whether the dealer draws a third card. Preferably,however, the classic rules are modified so as to simplify them. In apreferred embodiment, the dealer must take an additional card with ahand of 5 or less, and must stand with a hand of 6 or more.

Once the dealer hand is completed, the dealer compares his or her handto each player hand, and winners are determined on a hand by hand basis.For example, with respect to Player 1, the dealer will compare his/herhand to Player 1's hand. If Player 1 has a better hand, Player 1 will beawarded an amount equal to the amount wagered. If the dealer has abetter hand, Player 1 loses the amount wagered.

If the hands tie, several possibilities are created. For example, it canbe provided that in the event of a tie, the original wager is returned.Preferably, in the event of a tie, an additional card is dealt to thetying player. That card, known as a “determination” or “D” card,determines the disposition of the baccarat wager. By way of exampleonly, it can be provided that if the D card has a value of 1, 3, 5, 7 or9, there is a “push,” and the player receives the return of the initialwager. If the D card has a value of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, J, Q, or K, thefollowing mechanism can apply—the player will forfeit a percentage ofthe initial baccarat wager depending on the card value. For example, ifthe D card is 2, the amount lost will be 20% of the original wager, ifthe D card is 4, the amount lost will be 40% of the original wager, ifthe D card is 6, the amount lost will be 60% of the original wager, ifthe D card is 8, the amount lost will be 80% of the original wager, ifthe D card is 10 or higher, the amount lost will be the full amount(100%) of the original wager.

A baccarat game as herein described can be played with one or moreadditional wagering/jackpot features. In one version, participation inwhich preferably requires an additional wager (to be placed in bonusarea 20), a player can achieve a jackpot payout depending on thepoker-type or other value of the combination of the player's baccarathand and the dealer's baccarat hand. (Preferably, although notnecessarily, any D card received by a player is not considered indetermining the value of the player and dealer hands.) Thus, followingplay of an embodiment of a baccarat game as herein described,determination is made as to whether or not the player who isparticipating in the bonus game has achieved a designated value, basedon the combination of the player's cards and the dealer's cards,entitling him or her to the award of a bonus payout.

As shown in FIG. 2, possible bonus-generating combinations include: fourof a kind, five of a kind, six of a kind, a straight flush, a royalflush (A, K, Q, J, 10 of the same suit) a baccarat flush (A, 2, 3, 4, 5,and 6 of the same suit), a super royal flush ((A, K, Q, J, 10, 9 of thesame suit), all red, and all black. It should be recognized that theparticular bonus-generating combinations can be varied as desired.

Preferably, the actual payout amount associated with a particular bonuscombination is determined based on the relative degree of difficulty ofachieving a possible bonus combination, with the amount being higher thegreater the degree of difficulty. It may be desired to make one or moreof the bonus payout amounts progressive.

Another possible betting feature, as illustrated in FIG. 2, is to permitplayers to wager on the identity of the dealer's first card, which isdealt face down. By placing a wager in the desired dealer first cardarea 24, the player can wager on whether the dealer has a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, or 10, etc. In one embodiment, if the first card is a facecard, the player's wager is returned. Preferably, in this embodiment,the payout is eight to one, though a different payout may be provided.In another embodiment, if the first card is a face card, the playerloses the wager. In this embodiment, it is preferred that the payout beeleven to one, though a different payout may be provided. A player maybe permitted to place more than one such wager, in one embodiment.

Yet another possible betting feature, as illustrated by way of examplein FIG. 2 (and also in FIG. 3), is to permit players to wager on whetherthe cards forming the combination of the dealer's hand and the wageringplayer's hand are all red, or all black. Such a wager may be placed inthe applicable area 28.

Preferably, all three additional wagering options as herein describedare utilized, though it may be desired to utilize only one or two ofthem. It should be further noted that, while an additional wager ispreferably required for each additional wagering option as hereindescribed, it may be desired to permit a player to participate in one ormore of these options with no additional wager beyond the initial wager,or to permit a player to participate in two or more of these optionswith a single wager in addition to the initial wager. For example, asingle additional wager could permit a player to be eligible for two ormore additional jackpots based on the value of the combined dealer andplayer hands, selection of the identity of the first dealer card, and/oror selection of “all red” or “all black” for the combined dealer andplayer cards.

In one embodiment, a player can be permitted to bet on the dealer handrather than on the player's own hand. In this embodiment, it will benecessary to modify the rules relating to the drawing of a third card,so as to make the decision automatic. Preferably, the player should berequired to stand on a hand of six or more, and to draw on a hand offive or less.

Referring now to FIG. 3, it should be noted that while it is preferablethat each player play a hand, it would be possible to have only a singledealer hand and a single player hand, with non-player players wageringon whether the dealer or the player hand will win.

In this embodiment, a player wishing to wager on the player hand placesthe wager in Baccarat bet area 14. If a player wishes to wager on thedealer hand, the wager is placed in banker bet area 22.

One card is dealt face up to a single player hand, and one card is dealtface down to the dealer hand. In this embodiment, it is preferable thatthe player hand and the dealer hand each follow the same rules withrespect to the drawing of any additional cards. Preferably, third cardsmust be drawn on a total of five or less, and standing is required for atotal of six or greater.

In this embodiment, where there is a single player hand, rather thanmultiple hands, and where a D card is utilized in the event of a tie, itis preferred that a D card be dealt for every player who has made awager, so that the fate of each wager may be determined on an individualbasis. Alternatively, a single D card can be drawn to determine thecollective fate of all player wagers.

In this embodiment, and as illustrated in FIG. 3, player may bepermitted to participate in one or more of the additional wageringopportunities described above Where multiple players participate, it maybe desired to divide any additional jackpot to which they may beentitled based on the combined value of player and dealer hands asbetween them.

It should be noted that the games as herein described can be played aslive games on a table such as that illustrated in FIG. 1. Optionally,they may also be embodied in an electronic version, video terminalversion, on a disk to be played on a personal computer or the like, in aversion playable over the Internet or other network to be played on apersonal computer, or otherwise as desired.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in formand details may be made therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

For example, the use of a D card to determine the fate of a wager in theevent of a “push” between dealer and player hands may have applicationto other card games, such as blackjack, pai gow poker, etc. Similarly,the concept of wagering on the value of a dealer's down card may beutilized in connection with other card games, including for exampleblackjack, where the dealer receives a down card. Still further, theconcept of wagering on a combined value of dealer and player cards, suchas whether these are “all red” or “all black,” may also be extended toother card games, such as blackjack, pai gow poker, etc.

1. An improved baccarat-type card game comprising, in combination, thesteps of: accepting an initial wager from one or more players; dealingeach of said one or more players a first card; dealing a dealer a firstcard; dealing at least one additional card to each of said one or moreplayers until completing a player baccarat hand for each of said one ormore players; dealing at least one additional card to said dealer untilcompleting a dealer baccarat hand; determining a baccarat hand value foreach said player baccarat hand; determining a baccarat hand value forsaid dealer baccarat hand; comparing said baccarat hand value of eachsaid player baccarat hand with said baccarat hand value of said dealerbaccarat hand; and if said baccarat hand value of at least one saidplayer baccarat hand and said baccarat hand value of said dealerbaccarat hand are equal, providing a determination card to each saidplayer having said baccarat hand having an equal value to said dealerbaccarat hand; wherein a value of said determination card determineswhat will happen to said initial wager.
 2. The game of claim 1 furthercomprising the step of accepting a forfeiture of at least a portion ofsaid initial wager when said determination card has a first value. 3.The game of claim 1 further comprising the step of returning all of saidinitial wager when said determination card has a second value.
 4. Thegame of claim 1 wherein each said player's first card is dealt face up.5. The game of claim 1 wherein said dealer's first card is dealt facedown.
 6. The game of claim 1 further comprising the step of determiningfor each said player baccarat hand for each of said one or more players,after a second card is received, a baccarat value of each said playerbaccarat hand, and dealing a third card if said value is five or lower.7. The game of claim 6 further comprising the step, where said value issix for any said player baccarat hand, of permitting said player havingsaid player baccarat hand the option of drawing a third card.
 8. Thegame of claim 6 further comprising the step, where said value is sevenor greater for any said player baccarat hand, of requiring said playerhaving said player baccarat hand to stand after receiving two cards. 9.The game of claim 1 further comprising the step of determining for saiddealer baccarat hand, after a second card is received, a baccarat valueof said dealer baccarat hand, and dealing a third card if said value isfive or lower.
 10. The game of claim 9 further comprising the step,where said value is six or more for said dealer baccarat hand, ofrequiring said dealer to stand after receiving two cards.
 11. The gameof claim 1 wherein each said player is provided with an option ofplacing said initial wager on said player's player baccarat hand or onsaid dealer baccarat hand.
 12. The game of claim 5 further comprisingthe step of permitting each said player an option of placing a wager ona value of said dealer's first card.
 13. An improved baccarat-type cardgame comprising, in combination, the steps of: accepting an initialwager from one or more players; dealing each of said one or more playersa first card; dealing a dealer a first card; wherein said dealer's firstcard is dealt face down. permitting each said player an option ofplacing a wager on an indentity of said dealer's first card; dealing atleast one additional card to each of said one or more players untilcompleting a player baccarat hand for each of said one or more players;dealing at least one additional card to said dealer until completing adealer baccarat hand; determining a baccarat hand value for each saidplayer baccarat hand; determining a baccarat hand value for said dealerbaccarat hand; comparing said baccarat hand value of each said playerbaccarat hand with said baccarat hand value of said dealer baccarathand; and awarding a jackpot to each said player who has placed saidwager on said identity of said dealer's first card and who has correctlyselected said identity.
 14. An improved baccarat-type card gamecomprising, in combination, the steps of: accepting an initial wagerfrom at least one player; dealing a first card to at least one playerhand; dealing a first card to a dealer hand; dealing at least oneadditional card to each said player hand until completing said playerhand; dealing at least one additional card to said dealer hand untilcompleting said dealer hand; determining a baccarat hand value for eachsaid player hand; determining a baccarat hand value for said dealerhand; comparing said baccarat hand value of each said player hand withsaid baccarat hand value of said dealer hand; determining based on avalue of cards comprising at least one said player hand and said dealerhand whether said at least one bonus jackpot has been achieved.
 15. Thegame of claim 14 wherein said bonus jackpot is awarded based on a valueof cards comprising at least one said player hand and said dealer hand.16. The game of claim 14 wherein said bonus jackpot is awarded based onwhether said cards comprising at least one said player hand and saiddealer hand are one of all red and all black.
 17. The game of claim 14further comprising the step of selecting as a winning baccarat handbetween said dealer baccarat hand and each said player baccarat handwhichever of said dealer baccarat hand and each said player baccarathand has a higher baccarat value.
 18. The game of claim 14 furthercomprising the step of providing a determination card to each saidplayer having a baccarat hand having an equal value to said dealerbaccarat hand.
 19. The game of claim 18 wherein a value of saiddetermination card determines what will happen to said initial wager.20. The game of claim 19 further comprising the step of accepting aforfeiture of at least a portion of said initial wager when saiddetermination card has a first value.
 21. The game of claim 19 furthercomprising the step of returning said initial wager when saiddetermination card has a second value.
 22. The game of claim 14 whereineach said player's first card is dealt face up.
 23. The game of claim 14wherein said dealer's first card is dealt face down.
 24. The game ofclaim 14 further comprising the step of determining for each said playerbaccarat hand for each of said one or more players, after a second cardis received, a baccarat value of each said player baccarat hand, anddealing a third card if said value is five or lower.
 25. The game ofclaim 24 further comprising the step, where said value is six for anysaid player baccarat hand, of permitting said player having said playerbaccarat hand the option of drawing a third card.
 26. The game of claim24 further comprising the step, where said value is seven or greater forany said player baccarat hand, of requiring said player having saidplayer baccarat hand to stand after receiving two cards.
 27. The game ofclaim 14 further comprising the step of determining for said dealerbaccarat hand, after a second card is received, a baccarat value of saiddealer baccarat hand, and dealing a third card if said value is five orlower.
 28. The game of claim 27 further comprising the step, where saidvalue is six or more for said dealer baccarat hand, of requiring saiddealer to stand after receiving two cards.
 29. The game of claim 14wherein each said player is provided with an option of placing saidinitial wager on one said player hand or on said dealer hand.
 30. Thegame of claim 23 further comprising the step of permitting each saidplayer an option of placing a wager on a value of said dealer's firstcard.
 31. An improved card game comprising, in combination, the stepsof: accepting an initial wager from one or more players; dealing each ofsaid one or more players a first card; dealing a dealer a first card;dealing at least one additional card to each of said one or more playersuntil completing a player hand for each of said one or more players;dealing at least one additional card to said dealer until completing adealer hand; determining a hand value for each said player hand;determining a hand value for said dealer hand; comparing said hand valueof each said player hand with said hand value of said dealer hand; andif said hand value of at least one said player hand and said hand valueof said dealer hand are equal, providing a determination card to eachsaid player having said hand having an equal value to said dealer hand;wherein a value of said determination card determines what will happento said initial wager.
 32. The game of claim 31 further comprising thestep of accepting a forfeiture of at least a portion of said initialwager when said determination card has a first value.
 33. The game ofclaim 31 further comprising the step of returning all of said initialwager when said determination card has a second value.
 34. An improvedcard game comprising, in combination, the steps of: accepting an initialwager from one or more players; dealing each of said one or more playersa first card; dealing a dealer a first card; wherein said dealer's firstcard is dealt face down; permitting each said player an option ofplacing a wager on a value of said dealer's first card; dealing at leastone additional card to each of said one or more players until completinga player hand for each of said one or more players; dealing at least oneadditional card to said dealer until completing a dealer hand;determining a hand value for each said player hand; determining a handvalue for said dealer hand; determining said value of said dealer'sfirst card; and awarding a jackpot amount to a player who placed saidwager on said value of said dealer's first card and who correctlypredicted said value.
 35. An improved card game comprising, incombination, the steps of: accepting an initial wager from one or moreplayers; dealing each of said one or more players a first card; dealinga dealer a first card; dealing at least one additional card to each ofsaid one or more players until completing a player hand for each of saidone or more players; dealing at least one additional card to said dealeruntil completing a dealer hand; determining a hand value for each saidplayer hand; determining a hand value for said dealer hand; anddetermining based on a value of cards comprising at least one saidplayer hand and said dealer hand whether said at least one bonus jackpothas been achieved.
 36. The game of claim 35 wherein said bonus jackpotis awarded based on a value of cards comprising at least one said playerhand and said dealer hand.
 37. The game of claim 35 wherein said bonusjackpot is awarded based on whether said cards comprising at least onesaid player hand and said dealer hand are one of all red and all black.